IM 3v3 Soccer

General Rules

Florida State University does not provide accident insurance coverage for injuries received by Intramural Sports participants. Each participant should make sure that they have coverage either through family policies or the student insurance plan.

Florida State University PROHIBITS possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on University property. Smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco is also prohibited at Campus Recreation facilities. This includes the Rec SportsPlex, Main Campus Fields, Westside Courts, and Tully Gym. Violators will be asked to leave the area. Failure to do so can result in forfeiture of the contest, suspension of individuals and/or teams, and appropriate action by the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards and/or the FSU Police.

Sport Rules

Current National Federation (High School) Soccer rules will govern play with the following modifications:

I. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

1. Participation is limited to currently-enrolled, fee-paying FSU students, faculty members, and full-time staff. FAMU & TCC students and members of the community are not eligible.

2. In order to participate in an intramural contest, each player must present his/her current, valid FSUCard. Check-in takes place at designated sign-in locations at the facility, not at the fields or courtside.

3. Additional information regarding player eligibility, team rosters, and participant check-in is available in the Seven Principles of Intramural Sports, available online at the FSU Intramural Sports web site and in the Intramural Sports Office in 1035 Tully Gym. Requests for exceptions to any policy must be directed to the IM administrative staff during regular weekday business hours in the Intramural Sports Office. No exceptions are granted at the fields or courts.

II. TEAM COMPOSITION
1. Single gender matches are 3-on-3. Only 5 players may sign-in per team for a single match. Team rosters are unlimited; thus you may have a different five players represent your team each match.

2. Co-Rec matches are 4-on-4. Only 6 players may sign-in per team for a single match. Team rosters are unlimited; thus you may have a different six players represent your team each match.

3. A single gender team must have two (2) players to begin a game. One player constitutes a default. No players signed-in at game time will result in a forfeit.

4. A co-rec team must have three (3) players to begin a game. Two players constitute a default. One or no players signed-in at game time will result in a forfeit.

5. Unlimited substitutions are permitted. The referee must be notified before a substitution can occur. Players entering and leaving the field must do so at the half-field line. Substitutions may occur at any dead ball situation. Any player ejected from the game may not be substituted by an eligible player.

III. PLAYER EQUIPMENT

1. Teams must provide their own ball for warm-up. The referee will pick the best ball available to use as the game ball.

2. All players on a team should wear similar colored shirts or jerseys. Pinnies are available at the Rec SportsPlex Field House for checkout, if needed.

3. All players must wear shoes; tennis shoes and soft-soled, one-piece soccer shoes, plastic screw-on cleats are allowed. Cleats must be made of non chipping material and not form a cutting edge. Metal spikes and metal cleats are prohibited.

4. Players are strongly encouraged to wear shin guards, however, they are not required.

5. Players are not allowed to wear caps or bandanas.

6. Visible jewelry of any kind (earrings, studs, etc) is strictly prohibited and may not be worn during the game. Taping of jewelry is not permitted. Jewelry must be removed or the player will not be permitted to play. Casts or any items deemed dangerous by the referee may not be worn during the game. A player is subject to ejection for failure to comply after first warning.

IV. TIME

1. Match time is forfeit time. If the forfeiting team wishes to remain in the league, the team captain must contact the Intramural Sports Office by 12 Noon on the next business day to present their case.

2. A match will be divided into two (2) periods of ten (10) minutes each. Time runs continuously unless there is an injury or unexpected interruptions. At the conclusion of each half, the teams reverse ends. There shall be three (3) minutes between halves. There are no time outs. Time shall be extended to allow a penalty kick to be taken. Match time will be kept on the field by a referee.

3. 5-at-5 Mercy Rule: If a team is ahead by five or more goals with five minutes or less remaining in the second half, the match will end. At the same time, if a team is ahead by nine goals and is deemed to be stalling, the officials have the option to end the match and sporting behavior points may be deducted.

4. Regular season matches that are tied at the end of regulation time will remain tied. No overtime is played during the regular season. Playoff matches that are tied at the end of regulation time will proceed into overtime and, if needed, a shootout to determine a winner. The overtime and shootout procedures are outlined below.

V. INCLEMENT WEATHER

1. The FSU Intramural Sports Office reserves the right to postpone or reschedule a contest if circumstances warrant such action. Contests postponed due to inclement weather or other reasons may or may not be rescheduled at the discretion of the Intramural Sports staff.

2. In the case of inclement weather, the Intramural Sports staff will make a decision regarding the playing of matches after 5:00 pm. Players should check @FSUIMRainLine on Twitter or visit the Intramural Sports web site for rainout information. If inclement weather occurs after the closing of the Intramural Sports Office, decisions regarding the continuation of matches will be made on the field by the IM supervisors.

3. A playoff match stopped because of inclement weather will be resumed at the point that the match is suspended. Regular season matches stopped because of inclement weather are generally not completed; no win or loss is recorded in this case, however sporting behavior ratings will apply.

VI. THE FIELD

1. The 3-on-3 soccer field shall be 40 yards long by 30 yards wide. The goal box extends 3 yards (9 feet) from the end line and is 4 yards (12 feet) wide.

2. Goals shall be no larger than 4 feet high by 8 feet wide. Advanced divisions may play with smaller goals.

VII. GOALKEEPERS & GOAL BOX RESTRICTIONS

1. There are no goalkeepers in 3-on-3 soccer.

2. No player may touch the ball within the goal box. However, any player may move through the goal box. Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line is considered in the goal box for the purposes of this rule. Once a player has entered the goal box (such as when legally moving through the box), that player must establish him/herself outside the goal box (both feet outside the box) prior to touching the ball.
A. If a defender touches the ball in the goal box, the offensive team is awarded a penalty kick from the half-field line.
B. If an offensive player touches the ball in the goal box, the defensive team is awarded a goal kick. A goal kick is taken from any position along the endline (not the goal box).
C. If the ball comes to a complete stop in the goal box, regardless of which team touched it last, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.

VIII. RULES OF PLAY

1. A single referee will be utilized for 3-on-3 soccer.

KICKOFF PROCEDURE

1. A coin toss before the beginning of the game will determine which team kicks off and which has the choice of ends. The team not receiving the ball first will have possession to begin the second half.

2. On the referee’s signal, the game shall start or resume following a goal with a kick from the center of the field.

3. All players shall be within his/her half of the field. Opponents of the kicking team must be at least 5 yards from the ball until it is kicked. A teammate of the kicker may be anywhere within his/her half of the field.

SCORING A GOAL, OUT OF BOUNDS, OFFSIDES, RESTARTS

1. A goal is scored when the ball wholly crosses the goal line within the goal. The ball must be touched by a player (from either team) on the offense’s side of the half-field line prior to entering the goal.
A. A ball that rolls into the goal untouched by either team as required shall result in no goal scored. The ball is considered out of bounds. If last touched by the offense, a goal kick by the defensive team shall be awarded. If last touched by the defense, a corner kick by the offensive team shall be the awarded.

2. After the ball has wholly crossed the sidelines, either on the ground or in the air, the team that did not touch the ball last shall be awarded a kick-in.
A. For a kick-in, the ball shall be placed along the sideline near the point the ball crossed out of play.
B. Defenders must be positioned at least 5 yards from the spot of the kick-in.
C. The ball is in play as soon as it is touched by the kicker.
D. The player taking the kick-in cannot retouch the ball until another player has touched it.

3. A goal kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and was last touched by an offensive player.
A. For a goal kick, the ball shall be placed anywhere on the endline outside of the goal box area.
B. Defenders must be positioned at least 5 yards from the spot of the goal kick.
C. The ball is in play as soon as it is touched by the kicker.
D. The player taking the goal kick cannot retouch the ball until another player has touched it.

4. A corner kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and was last touched by a defensive player.
A. The ball must be placed on the ground within 1 yard of the corner flag or cone. Corner flags or cones cannot be moved to take a corner kick.
B. The opposing team must be 5 yards away at the time the ball is kicked.
C. The kicker cannot retouch the ball until it is touched by another player (either team).
D. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

5. Any ball striking a referee, goal post, or corner post and remaining on the field is in play. If the ball strikes the referee as the result of a pass or a shot and possession is transferred to the opposing team (the one who did not initiate the pass or the shot) play will restart with an uncontested drop ball from the spot where the ball struck the referee. After the ball has wholly crossed the sideline or goal line, or whenever the game has been stopped by the referee, the ball is out of play.

6. When restarting the game after a temporary suspension of play (i.e. injury), except on a free kick or kick-in, the team that was clearly in possession of the ball at the time of the suspension shall be awarded an uncontested drop ball from the spot the ball was at the time of the suspension.
A. If neither team was in clear possession of the ball, the drop ball will be awarded to the team who last touched the ball at the place where it was when play was suspended, and the ball is in play when it touches the ground. All opposing players must remain at least 5 yards from the spot of the dropped ball.

OFFSIDES

1. There is NO offsides in intramural 3-on-3 soccer.

SLIDE TACKLING

1. There is NO SLIDE TACKLING in IM rec soccer. This rule applies to all players anywhere on the field.

(Definition) A slide occurs when a player leaves his/her feet and leads with his/her feet to play the ball anywhere on the field and contact is NOT made with an opponent. However, in the case that an opponent must jump or dodge your slide, even though no direct contact with the opponent was made, a slide tackle will be called.

(Definition) A slide tackle occurs when a player leaves his/her feet and leads with his/her feet to play the ball while the ball is in the possession of an opposing player. Contact is required. An attempt to slide tackle (ex: player hurdling/avoiding a slide tackle) will also be considered a slide tackle.

2. At any time, if the slide tackle is deemed malicious (playing the player and not the ball and/or from behind), a red card will be issued to the offending player and a direct free kick will be awarded to the offended team. A red card is deemed an ejection and further disciplinary action may be taken. Additionally, malicious play may negatively affect a team’s sporting behavior rating.

3. The first offense for a slide tackle will result in a yellow card for the offending player. Additionally, a penalty kick is awarded to the offended team. The offending player must now come off of the field for 3 minutes and may not return until the 3 minutes is up OR the opposing team scores an additional goal to the potential penalty kick. This player may be replaced.

4. On a player’s second and subsequent slide tackle, they will receive a red card and a penalty kick will be awarded to the offended team. The offending player is immediately dismissed for the remainder of the match, but is permitted to be replaced by the team.

5. A slide (no contact) will result in a non-call.

6. A dismissal for a slide tackle is deemed an ejection and further disciplinary action may be taken. A player’s dismissal due to a red card may negatively affect the team’s sporting behavior rating.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

The word “kicks” in the text below refers only to circumstances where a player plays the ball with the foot or feet. Similarly, a deflection with the foot or feet is permitted in circumstances where it is not intentional (involuntary deflection or miskick from a teammate).

A player who commits any of the following offenses shall be penalized by the award of an indirect free kick to be taken by the opposing team from the spot where the infraction occurred.

A penalty kick shall be awarded after a serious or intentional rule infraction takes place by the defensive team. A penalty kick shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by the infraction. Such violations may occur anywhere on the field.

1. Dangerous play – In the opinion of the official, all high kicks above the waist or any attempt to make a play on the ball while kneeling or laying on the ground in a dangerous manner shall be prohibited.

2. Charging a player not in possession of the ball – A player shall not intentionally charge an opponent unfairly.

3. Obstruction – Obstruction is the intentional act by a player, not in possession of the ball or not attempting to play the ball, of running between an opponent and the ball or using the body as an obstacle.

4. Delay of game – No player or team shall unnecessarily delay the playing of the game.

5. Kicking or striking an opponent – A player shall not intentionally attempt to kick or strike an opponent.

6. Jumping at or tripping an opponent – A player shall not intentionally jump at nor intentionally trip an opponent.

7. Charging a player in possession of the ball – A player shall not intentionally charge an opponent unfairly. Offenses include violently and/or dangerously charging a player or charging from behind.

8. Holding, pushing, or impeding an opponent – A player shall not use his/her hands or arms to hold, push, or impede an opponent.

9. Hand ball – A player shall be penalized for intentionally handling, carrying, striking, or propelling the ball with a hand/arm. Unintentional handling occurs when the ball strikes the hands/arms of a player whose hands/arms are in a natural position; this unintentional hand ball shall not be penalized.

In addition to the above penalties, a referee may issue a yellow (caution) or red (ejection) card for the following offenses:

(Yellow) Leaving the field or coming onto the field without a referee’s permission.

(Yellow) Poor sporting behavior.

(Yellow) Slide tackling, first offense (no-malicious).

(Yellow) Persistent infringement of the rules of the game.

(Yellow) Showing dissent (disagreement) toward a referee’s call, including objecting by word of mouth or action.

(Red) Slide tackling, first offense (if malicious).

(Red) Slide tackling, second offenses by same team (any type).

(Red) Excessive foul or abusive language.

(Red) Persistent misconduct after receiving a caution.

(Red) Violent or serious foul play.

(Red) Intentionally impeding an opponent through unlawful means during an obvious goal-scoring opportunity – If a player who is moving toward his opponents’ goal with an obvious opportunity to score a goal is intentionally impeded by an opponent through unlawful means (an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick), thus denying the attacking player’s team the goal-scoring opportunity, the offending player shall be sent off the field for serious foul play.

A team caution, a disciplinary action facing an entire team as a result of a violation by a player of that team, may be assessed by the referee in the following instances: encroachment on free kicks, intentional hand balls by the defense, and unnecessary delay. Once a team caution has been issued, if any player from that team commits the same foul, that player will be ejected.

(Red) A red card results in the ejection of the offending player from the match. The ejected player may not return for the remainder of the match, must leave the facility. The ejected player may be replaced by a substitute, if available. Ejected participants are immediately suspended from all IM play and must complete the reinstatement procedure to participate in future contests.

FREE KICKS

1. All dead ball kicks (kick-ins, free kicks, kick-offs) are indirect with the exception of corner kicks and penalty kicks.

2. An indirect free kick is a free kick from which a goal may not be scored unless the ball is touched by another player from either team.

3. The free kick may be taken by any player of the offended team on the field of play at the time of the offense.

4. When a free kick is awarded, all opposing players must be at least five (5) yards away from the spot where the free kick is to be taken.

5. When a foul is awarded within 5 yards of the goal box, the free kick spot shall be moved to a distance of 5 yards from the goal box to permit the defenders to take a legal position in front of the goal box.

6. The ball must be stationary when a free kick is taken. The kicker shall not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player (either team). The ball may be kicked in any direction.

PENALTY KICKS

1. A penalty kick is awarded after a serious or intentional rule infraction takes place by the defensive team. A penalty kick shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by the infraction. Such violations only occur in the attacking half. A penalty kick is also awarded any time a slide tackle is called.

2. The penalty kick shall be taken at a spot anywhere along the half-field line.

3. The penalty kick may be taken by any player of the offended team on the field of play at the time of the offense.

4. All players must remain behind the half-field line and at least 5 yards from the spot of the penalty kick.

5. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains position with a goal kick. Penalty kicks are NOT live balls in 3-on-3 soccer.

OVERTIME AND SHOOTOUT

1. Overtime will consist of ONE 3-minute “golden goal” period. The first team to score a goal will win the game. The choice of ends and the kickoff will be decided by a coin toss.

2. If the game remains tied at the end of the overtime period, the game will proceed into a 3-person shootout.

3. A coin toss will occur to determine which team shall kick first in the shootout. The winner of the coin toss shall have the option of shooting first or last.

4. The three players on the field of play (in the game) at the end of the overtime period shall be the shooters.

5. Each team has a total of three (3) shots. Teams will alternate after each shot. Each shot shall follow the procedure for a penalty kick as outlined above.

6. If the score remains tied following the first three (3) shots by each team, a sudden victory shootout will occur in which the game is won if, after ANY equal number of shots, the tie is broken. The kicking order and players involved will remain the same as the initial three shots.

7. If the score remains tied following another three (3) shots by each team, during the sudden victory shootout, the spot for the penalty kick shall be moved an additional 5 yards away from the goal. The distance will continue to increase by 5 yards following each set of 3 shots per team until a winner is determined.

8. In the event that a team is playing a person-down due to injury and is not permitted by rule to replace the player or, if permitted, has no available eligible substitutes, the vacant place in the shootout order shall be considered a miss.

IX. SPORTING BEHAVIOR

1. The mission of Intramural Sports is to provide a recreational environment for the University community which is safe and enjoyable. While the game atmosphere is often competitive, ensuring participant safety, providing a fun, social atmosphere, and promoting good sporting behavior among participants, spectators, and team followers are our primary concerns. The game atmosphere should remain good-natured at all times. Participants shall maintain good sporting behavior throughout their participation in all facets of the intramural program.

2. The Sporting Behavior Rating System is intended to be an objective scale by which teams’ attitude and behavior can be assessed throughout the intramural sports league and playoff seasons. Behavior before, during, and after an intramural sports contest is included in the rating. The team captain is responsible for educating and informing all players and spectators affiliated with his/her team about the system.

3. A team is responsible for the actions of the individual team members and spectators related to it. Additionally, FSU Intramural Sports does not recognize the use of coaches. Only the team captain shall speak to the officials regarding administrative matters (protests, ejections, disqualifications, etc). Furthermore, the team captain’s efforts in assisting officials/staff to calm difficult situations and to restrain troubled teammates are key to controlling team conduct.

4. Good sporting behavior is vital to the conduct of every Intramural contest. In order to encourage proper conduct during games, officials, administrative personnel, and supervisors shall make decisions on whether to warn, penalize or eject players or teams for poor sporting behavior. These decisions are final. The Intramural Sports administrative staff will rule on further penalties as a result of a sporting behavior conduct penalty.

5. Each participant should choose his or her team members carefully, as all team members will suffer the consequences of any disciplinary action taken by the Intramural Sports staff against that team for violation of the intramural rules and sporting behavior guidelines. Protests or appeals of sporting behavior ratings will not be recognized. The Intramural Sports administrative staff reserves the right to review any rating given to a team.

6. Additional information regarding team and participant sporting behavior including the rating method, factors, and scale is available in the Sporting Behavior Principle of the Seven Principles of Intramural Sports, available online at the FSU Campus Recreation web site.